A Formidable Figure

As a result, after Zhao Yuanxun took office, Zhang Shun found that Zhao Yuanxun was not only humble and polite, but also very respectful to him, the prefect, and very conscientious in fulfilling his duties. He not only did not rely on his background and status to boss people around, but also always humbly asked him for advice. He also kept silent about the canal transport.

Moreover, Zhao Yuanxun was not only humble, but also very diligent in his official duties and had decent work ability, making him fully capable of serving as a prefectural judge.

Zhang Shun even wanted to burn incense for the Bodhisattva. Heaven was truly looking out for him.

Relieved, Zhang Shun did his best to cultivate a good relationship with Zhao Yuanxun.

Just kidding. With his connections, taking up a new post is just a bonus; he'll be promoted quickly. Being on good terms with him will only bring benefits, not harm.

Although he was tight-lipped and didn't mention any powerful backers, Zhang Shun trusted his own judgment.

Seeing that Zhao Yuanxun seemed restless all day, Zhang Shun naturally wanted to help Zhao Yuanxun relieve his worries.

Zhao Yuanxun also wanted to improve his relationship with Zhang Shun. Moreover, he would be restless and uneasy if he went back, so he agreed. After sending a servant back to the mansion to inform Zhao Jingtai, he went to Zhang Shun's house after leaving the yamen.

Zhang Shun came from a poor family. Although he was promoted by his mentor after becoming an official, and due to his own competence and outstanding political achievements, he was transferred to the wealthy Gusu to serve as prefect. However, he was still extremely cautious in his official duties. Even when he embezzled money from the grain transport system, he followed the crowd—if others didn't take it, they would worry that he would report them. Not only would you not be able to stay in the city, but you might also be framed and lose your head.

He valued his life, but he also had principles and a bottom line. So even though he followed the crowd and embezzled, he didn't embezzle much money.

He still lives in the prefect's residence behind the government office.

When Madam Zhang heard that her husband was going to drink with Magistrate Lord Zhao, she quickly ordered the kitchen to send the previously prepared food to the front yard, and also instructed the kitchen to prepare a few more hearty dishes.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhang Shun asked, "Lord Zhao, are you worried about your daughter's imperial examination? I heard from your wife that she said your daughter is extremely talented in her studies, and her essays are praised by the Imperial Academy at the Imperial Academy. Moreover, she was the top scholar in the provincial examination in the capital last year. With such talent, the only difference is between the top scholar in the metropolitan examination and the second or third place. Lord Zhao, you really don't need to worry about this."

Zhao Yuanxun shook his head.

He also had a strange confidence in his daughter, believing that she would have no problem passing the imperial examinations and that becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examinations) would be a piece of cake. Just as Zhang Shun said, the only thing to worry about was who would be the top scholar or the second or third-place finisher.

His worries were the same as those of the old lady and Lady Zhu.

"Alas, Lord Zhang, you don't know." Thanks to Zhang Shun's persistent efforts, Zhao Yuanxun now considers him a good brother and can confide in him. "My daughter is different from ordinary women. If she passes the imperial examination, she wants to be appointed to a post outside the capital. It's only because I met you that everything goes smoothly for me here, and no one makes things difficult for me. If my daughter were appointed to a post outside the capital, who knows how many people would make things difficult for her."

He only realized how difficult it was to take office after being transferred to a remote area. Superiors were wary, colleagues ostracized him, and the veteran officials in the government office were as slippery as eels. They wouldn't cooperate with anything you asked them to do, and you couldn't find any fault with them.

When he came to Gusu Prefecture, even though Zhang Shun was trying to befriend him, he was tricked twice, neither lightly nor heavily, and his investigations were met with even greater resistance. It wasn't even autumn harvest season yet, otherwise the village heads would have been quite difficult to deal with.

If even a grown man like him, with Zhang Shun protecting him, is in such a predicament, then Zhao Ruxi, a mere fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, must be facing even greater difficulties.

He was so worried about it that he couldn't sleep.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shun also began to worry for Zhao Yuanxun.

He climbed his way up to this position step by step. No one else knows the hardships he faced when he was sent down to an unfamiliar place.

"Why send her out to another region? It's perfectly suitable for your daughter to stay in the capital," he said. "You have your ancestral home and servants in the capital, and your relatives and friends are all there. No matter which ministry your daughter goes to, they can take care of her. Moreover, out of respect for you, her colleagues in the government office wouldn't dare to disrespect her."

Zhao Yuanxun shook his head. "She wants to go down to the grassroots, understand the hardships of the people, and experience firsthand the toil of local officials."

He knew perfectly well why Zhao Ruxi was being sent to the countryside. That was the very reason he had come to Gusu.

Zhang Shun: "..."

As expected, the thoughts of the wealthy and powerful in Beijing are different from those of ordinary people like them. They are forced into this situation, while others are simply experiencing life.

He sighed, "It's a pity that you and your daughter have a principle of avoidance, so you can't serve as officials in the same place. Otherwise, it would be perfect to have your daughter come here with us."

He thought for a moment, "I have many classmates and fellow townsmen who are now prefects or magistrates in various places. If Lord Zhao could pull some strings and have your daughter assigned to a place under the jurisdiction of one of my close classmates or fellow townsmen, I would write to them to ask for their support. Even if your daughter becomes a magistrate, with a prefect above her, no one below would dare to openly bully her. What do you think of this approach? I remember Lord Zhao's brother-in-law works in the Ministry of Personnel, right? Finding a suitable place for your daughter shouldn't be difficult."

His words also carried a certain probing tone.

If he can succeed even with this method, this magistrate is truly incredibly resourceful.

Zhao Yuanxun overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly stood up, cupping his hands in thanks, saying, "That's wonderful! Thank you, Lord Zhang."

After sitting down, he asked, "Where do all of Lord Zhang's fellow graduates and fellow townsmen who are upright and easy to get along with serve? Are there any who are closer to the capital?"

Although Zhang Shun came from a poor family, he was extremely good at studying. During the provincial examination, he was immediately accepted as a student by the provincial education commissioner. He was also good at socializing and scheming. Through his mentor's connections, he made many friends. Otherwise, he would never have been able to become the prefect of Gusu Prefecture, and he would have served in that position for several years.

He was quite shocked to see Zhao Yuanxun's behavior.

His mentor was now an official in the Ministry of Rites, holding the rank of third grade. It was extremely difficult for him to directly appoint a newly promoted scholar to an official post in a certain place. It would require spending a lot of money and cultivating countless connections. If the emperor found out, there was also the risk of being punished. Therefore, his mentor never did such a thing.

Judging from Earl Zhao's appearance, it seemed as simple as eating and drinking.

He became even more attentive to Zhao Yuanxun, immediately ordering someone to bring paper and pen. He wrote down several places, official titles, and names, then handed them to Zhao Yuanxun: "Lord Zhao, please take a look and see if these are suitable."

Seeing that Zhao Yuanxun was about to stand up and bow again, he quickly stopped him, saying, "We're brothers, there's no need for such formalities. If Lord Zhao doesn't mind, I'm a few years older than Lord Zhao, so Lord Zhao call me Brother Yifan, and I'll call you Jianling."

Yifan was Zhang Shun's courtesy name, while Zhao Yuanxun's courtesy name Jianling. Zhang Shun's change of address quickly brought the two closer.

Zhao Yuanxun naturally agreed.